Ottawa Citizen
Jan. 20, 2005
BENNITZ, Archibald (Archie) -- Wednesday, January 19, 2005, at the age of 84.
Predeceased by his wife Vicky, Archie was the beloved father of son David and daughter-in-law Wendy and a wonderful grandfather to Joshua, Michael and Adam. He leaves behind his brother Doug in B.C. and many nephews and nieces.
Archie was born in Amherst, Nova Scotia and served overseas with the 422nd Squadron RCAF, in WWII.
A long-time resident of Niagara Falls, Archie was an avid fan of watching hockey. He asked that Mr. Bettman and Goodenow know that they are "skunks" for denying him the pleasure of watching the NHL on TV this year. He also asked that Mr. Bettman steps aside and gives Wayne Gretzky the job that rightfully belongs to him.
Special thanks to Dr. Yahyavi, Ellen, and the nurses on the 4th floor of the Queensway Carleton Hospital for their caring and compassion.
At Archie's request he is being cremated and a private family gathering will be held. In memoriam donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.
Published by
Ottawa Citizen
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Hockey fan complains about NHL lockout from beyond the grave
Reuters News Agency
Jan. 21, 2005
TORONTO -- A Canadian man has cursed the heads of the National Hockey League -- from beyond the grave.
Archie Bennitz, 84, an ardent hockey fan from Kanata, Ontario, near Ottawa, used his own obituary to blast NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and NHL Players' Association executive Bob Goodenow, for the lockout which has left fans without hockey this year.
The obituary, published in the Ottawa Citizen, was written by Bennitz's 45-year-old son David, who took dictation at his hospital bedside.
In his obituary, Bennitz called Bettman and Goodenow "skunks for denying him the pleasure of watching NHL on TV this year."
He also asked Bettman to step aside and give retired NHL superstar Wayne Gretzky the top job running the league.
"Of all the different words and profanity to choose from, the word 'skunk' sort of summed up what was going on," David told Reuters on Friday. "A skunk won't kill you, but it sure does smell."
David plans to send the published obituary to Bettman and Goodenow, who have been at loggerheads for months over a new NHL labor contract.
Published by
Reuters News Agency
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